Window structures



y 9 M. J. NARDULLI 2,799,060

WINDOW STRUCTURES Filed Nov. 2. 1953 2 she ets-sneet 1 i (3 R. Z w

f R 9 Q LL w v {Q f t R 1 3 t q Q v Q -X- INVENTOR. v MICHAEL J. NA ULLI A RNEY .July 16, 1957 M. J. NARDULLI WINDOW STRUCTURES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 2. l953 QWM INVENTOR. MICHAEL J. NARDULLI ATTORNEY WINDOW STRUCTURES Michael J. Nardulli, Elmwood Park, Ill., assignor to Michael J. Nardulli, Angelo F. Naples, and Peter F. Nardulli, or the survivors of them, as trustees Application November 2, 1953, Serial No. 389,636-

8 Claims. (Cl. 2052.2)

This invention relates to window structures, and particularly tosuch structures wherein the sash are readily removable by lateral displacement of the sash with respect to the frame structure.

Removable sash window structures have been widely used, and in most prior structures of this general character the sash are held in place by lateral pressure applied by a laterally yieldable guideway along one edge of the sash, and when the sash are to be removed, the sash are moved or forced in one direction laterally against a yielding guideway so that the opposite edge of the sash may be disengaged from the opposite sash guideway. v 7

Most sash heretofore mounted for such removal from the window frame structure have been of the double hung type, but in my copending application, Serial No. 362,355, filed June 11, 1953, an arrangement has been disclosed whereby awning type window sash may be' mounted for ready removal from the frame structure. Another removable sash structure is disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 361,047, filed June 11, 1953, wherein relatively thin metal framed sash may be mounted in a removable double hung relationship with respect to the window frame, and in accordance with the disclosure of this last mentioned application, it is possible to mount a pair of prime window sash and a pair of storm sash or screens within the space theretofore required for the mounting of the two conventional sash. The removable sash window structures heretofore utilized have been of such a character as to require a special frame structure, and this, of course, has materially limited the number of installations of such removable sash window structures. Such special frame structures have, of course, been relatively costly as compared with standard window frames, and it is therefore an important object of the present invention to enable window sash tobe removably mounted in standard window frames, thus to enable such readily removable sash to beinstalled in new building without requiring the selection of a special frame, and also to enable such readily removable sash to be installed in existing window frames where replacement of the original wood sash is necessary or desirable.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to afford supplemental frame structures which may be quickly and easily installed in standard window frames to removably receive window sash, and to enable this to be accomplished in such a way that such standard window frames may be used as the basic mounting for either double hung window sash or awning type window sash. Other and related objects are to accomplish the mounting of removable window sash in standard window frames in such a way that no modification of the standard frame is required, to accomplish this mounting in such a way that the mounting elements may be quickly removed so as to simplify the cleaning or painting of the standard wood frames, and to attain such a removable sash mounted through the use of supplemental guideway structures which may be effectually combined with other types of simple and inexpensive window frame structures so that:

such supplemental guideway structures are endowed with an unusually wide range of practical utility.

Other and further objects of the present invention wil be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principle thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which. I have contemplated applying that principle. ments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principle may be used and structural changesmay be made as desired by those skilled in the art without depart-. ing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims- In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view taken through a window structure embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical elevational view taken substantially,

along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing the mounting channels in position, but without the adapter strips associated therewith;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but taken in cross section along the line 33 of Fig. 1 to show the relationship of the mounting-channels, the adapter strips} and the sash;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting channel;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the back-up members used on one side of the window installation; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the,

channel member. V

For purposes of disclosure, the invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a window frame 21, and under the of the kind shown in my aforesaid copending application Serial'No. 362,355, or an awning type sash 23 of the kind shown in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 361,047, and to simplify the present disclosure,

the awning type sash 23 have been illustrated as constituting the prime window sash while the double hung sash 22 have been illustrated as constituting the supplemental or storm sash which, in such an instance, are necessarily located inwardly of the prime window sash. It will be recognized, of course, that the awning type installation that embodies the awning type sash 23 may be utilized in some instances without the benefit of storm sash or screens, and that the double hung sash 22 may be utilized alone, or two sets of such double hung sash may be incorporated in a single standard window frame so as to constitute a prime window installation as well as a storm window installation. Moreover, the double hung sash may in either instance be replaced by screens when this is desired, and the manner of attaining such replacement is described in detail in my aforesaid copending applications.

The standard window frame 21 has a left-hand side frame member 25 and a right-hand side frame member 26 that are so formed as to afford outer stops 25-1 and 26-1, parting beads 25-2 and 26-2, and inner stops 25-3 and 26-3, and these stops serve to afford outer sash runways 25-4 and 26-4 and inner runways 25-5 and 26-5. The frame 21 also has an upper transverse member 27 that has an outer-stop 27-1, a parting stop 27-2" 'Patented July 16, 1957 Other embodi;

and an inner stop 27-3. The frame also has a lower or sill member 28. This frame structureis standard, particularly as to the size and dimensions of the sash runways, and the frame may be provided in one form for use in the conventional manner with sash weights and cords, or may be of the more economical type that is adapted for the use of other types-of sashbalance or may be adapted for normal or conventional use without sash balancing means of any kind. In any event, the standard frame is normally intended to receive standard wood framed sash and the width of the sash runway is normally 1% inches, and the depth of the sash runway is /2 inch.

Under and in accordance with the present invention, means are afforded whereby such a standardframe may be utilized for the mounting of other types of sash so as to thereby increase the utility of the standard frame and enable: the ordinary sash to be replaced by other forms of sash such as metal sash of various kinds, and this may be done under the present invention in either new or old buildings. The present invention enables such a substitution of metal sash such as the sash 22 and 23 in such a way that these sash may be readily removed in a known process of removal by laterally moving the sash against one yielding or spring pressed runway so as to release the sash from the other or stationary runway.

In accomplishing the foregoing objectives, the present invention provides a separately formed sash mounting channel 30 that is shown in perspective in Fig. 6 and in enlarged cross section in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and this channel 30 is utilized in identical form in affording supplemental sash runways or mounting members on both sides of the standard frame 21, and in accomplishing the removable mounting of the sash, at least one of these channels is mounted for yielding movement into or inwardly of the sash guideway in which it is located.

The mounting channel 30 under the present invention is uniform in its cross sectional form throughout its length, and is thus adapted to be formed by continuous high speed forming processes, and in the present instance, the channel is illustrated as being formed by extrusion from a metal such as aluminum. The channel 30 has an overall width of just slightly less than the width of the standard sash guideway, and in the present instance the outside transverse dimension is 1.312 inches so, as to allow the channel to be fitted into the 1% inch standard sash guideway with a slight clearance for purposes that will appear hereinafter. The mounting channel 30 as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, has right and left hand edge walls 31 and 32 that are jointed intermediate their front edge surfaces F and their rear edge surfaces R by a centrally depressed transverse web 33 which by reason of such central depression affords a narrow and relatively deep clearance and mounting groove 34. The edge walls 31 and 32 may be considered. as constituting front guide portions 31F and 32F which cooperate with the wall or Web 33 in affording a groove 35 which receives an adapter strip 36 to fit the channel 30 for removable reception of double hung sash 22 in the manner disclosed in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 362,355, or which groove 35 may receive an adapter strip 37 to fit the structure for the removable reception of awning type sash 23 in the manner disclosed in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 361,047.

The edge walls 31 and 32, between their rear ends R and their junctures with the transverse web 33 constitute rear leg portions 31R and 32R, and the outer faces of these rear leg portions 31R and 32R lie in a common plane in each instance with the respective front guide portions 31F and 32F, as indicated at 318 and 32S, respectively. The outside transverse dimension of the channel is measured between these side surfaces 318 and 32S, and as above pointed out, I prefer to establish this dimension at 1.312 inches so that when the channel is put in place in the standard 1% inch sash guideway of a standard frame, the side surfaces 318 and 328 may engage the sides of the sash guideway to locate the channel transversely, and where the channel 30 is to move in and out with respect to the channel, these surfaces serve as guiding surfaces, as will be evident in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Moreover, the dimension between the front and back surfaces is preferably inch, and the depth of the channel 35 as measured between the surfaces F and the adjacent face of the web 33 is preferably 4 inch, and these dimensions are desirable in fitting the unit for cooperation with standard sash guideways, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The clearance groove 34 is defined by a pair of spaced side walls 34-1 and 34-2 and a connecting bottom wall 34-3, and the walls 34-1 and 34-2 are joined integrally at their upper edges with the web 33, and are parallel to each other and to the edge walls 31 and 32. The bottom wall 34-3 of the groove 34 is of course integral with the lower edges of the walls 34-1 and 34-2, and is parallel to the web 33 and perpendicular to the side surfaces 318 and 328. Moreover, the walls 34-1 and 34-2 are of such length that the rear surface 34R of the wall 34-3 is located in the plane of the rear end faces R of the leg portions 31R and 32R. The clearance groove 34 is of a width such that the head 37H of a conventional inch or 1 inch screw 37 may be disposed somewhat loosely within the groove 34 with the stem of the screw extending through a suitable bore 38 formed in the bottom wall 34-3 of the groove, and this enables a plurality of such screws 37 to be used to secure the channels 30 in their positions of use, as will be described in further detail hereinafter.

The adjacent or inside faces 31F1 and 32F1 of the guide portions 32F are spaced apart in such a distance that when the adapter strip 36 is in position with its projecting central rib 36R, these faces 31F-1 and 32F1 will cooperate with such rib 36R to afford parallel guide grooves for receiving the edges of the respective upper and lower sash- 22. The adapter strip 36 is of substantially the same form as described in my copending application Serial No. 361,047, and one of such strips 36 used with each sash has latch receiving recesses 36L formed therein to cooperate with latch means of the character disclosed in such application.

The adapter strips 36 are held releasably in position by cooperating retaining means formed on the channel 30, and such means as herein shown comprise undercut grooves 131 and 132 formed in the surfaces 31F-1 and 32F-1 adjacent to the web 33. These grooves 131 and 132 are so formed that the opposite edges of the strip 36 will fit into such grooves, and will be held therein by the resilient spring action which results from the U-shaped form of the central rib 36R of the strip. Such resilience is appreciable since the strip 30 is preferably formed from stainless steel to afford wear resistance and strength in the locking recesses 36L and also to afford a dissimilar metal for efficient sliding contact with the aluminum frames of the sash 22.

It has been pointed out hereinbefore that at least one of the channels 30 is mounted for yielding movement into or inwardly with respect to the guideway in which it is mounted, and to enable spring means to be associated with the channels 30 for accomplishing such mounting, means are afforded between the walls 31R and 341 and between the walls 32R and 342 for receiving and holding expansive coil springs 40. Thus the walls 313 and 328 have ribs 42 formed on their inner surfaces, and the walls 341 and 342 have ribs 43 formed on their outer faces, and such ribs 42 and 43 are spaced from the rear surface of the web 33 in an amount sufficient to permit the end coil of a spring 40 to be inserted into the grooves 44 formed by the ribs 42 and 43, the walls 31R, 32R, 344 and 342. Such end coils of the springs 40 are made of a diameter just slightly greater than the spacing of the grooves 44, thus to cause such end coil to have a firm, frictional en;

gagement with the bottoms of the grooves 44. This frictional engagement serves to hold the spring 40 in any desired position along the channel 30.

As will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the springs 40 are mounted in pairs on opposite sides of the walls 34-1 and 34-2 and in association, as above described, with the mounting grooves 44. The springs 40 are preferably about 1 inch in. length, so that when the channel 30 is mounted in position in the sash guideway, the springs 40 will be under substantial compression, tending to force the channel 30. outwardly to the normal outward position that is determined by engagement of the bottom wall 34-3 with theheads 37H of the screws 37.

It is also to be observed, particularly in Fig. 2 of the draw-- ings, that several sets of springs 40 and screws 37 are afforded at spaced points throughout the length of each channel 30.

The preferred mounting of the channels 30 in the sash grooves provides for a normal projection of substantial extent into the sash guideway, and since the normal or conventional sash guideways are /2 inch in depth, I prefer to construct the channels 30 so that the dimension thereof between the surfaces F and R is inch, and with the depth of the channel portion 35 equal to A inch, as measured between the surfaces F and the adjacent surfaceof the web 33. With this arrangement, the channel 30 may be mounted in the conventional sash guideway with the bottom surfaces R spaced substantially inch from the bottom surface of the sash guideway, as shown particularly in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and this affords an ample range of yielding inward movement for the channel 30. Moreover, the depth of the clearance groove 34 is such that when the channel 30 is fully depressed into the sash guideway, the head of the screw 37 will still be located within the groove 34 and will not contact or tend to displace the adapter strip; Since two springs 40 are provided on opposite sides of each of the screws 37, it will be apparentthat the arrangement is such that undesired rocking movement of the channel about its vertical longitudinal axis is prevented'under the present invention.

The other or right-hand channels 30 are; in most instances, mounted in a fixed relationship with respect to the guideways 264 and 265, and this is accomplished through the use'of supporting feet 45 which, as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 7, are of generally T-shaped form and are made as a stamping from sheet metal. Thus, each of the feet 45 has a pair of outwardly projecting arms 45A at its upper end, and these arms 45A are so dimensioned that th'ey'may be jslip pied into the mounting grooves 44 of the channel in the manner shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The fit between these parts is preferably quite snug, so that the feet will stay in any particular position in the grooves during the mounting operation. The length of the feet 45 is such that the channel 30 will be spaced from the bottom of the sash guideway in the same amount as the right-hand channel 30, as hereinabove described. It will be recognized of course, that in some instances where an out-of-square window frame is encountered in old building construction, it may be desirable to utilize the springs 40 to position the right-hand channels 30, or the feet 45 may be bent or suitably cut to shorter lengths so as to locate the channels 30 in a squared relationship with respect to the bottom and top of the window frame.

-The'holes 38 through which the screws 37 are to be extended may, of course, be formed at the fabricating plant, or may be readily and easily formed on the job through the use of a conventional power drill. This capability of the present invention is particularly important where installations are being made in old buildings, for in such an instance it is necessary to locate the fastening screws in positions where they will be threaded into sound portions of the frame, or in places where they avoid conflict with nietal portions of the frame such as, the usual pulley that is usually found in old window frames.

.After the channels 30 have been thus mounted, the adapter strips 36 may be snapped in place as hereinbefore described, and the sash 22 may be placed in the guideways that are thus afforded by pressing the sash laterally to the left to compress the springs 40, after which the righthand edge of the sash may be moved into alignment with the right-hand sash runway, and the left-hand pressure released so as to thereby locate the sash in their proper relationship with respect to the sash runway.

In .the mounting of the double-hung sash 22, a lower sill 54A is provided, as'described in my aforesaid copending application No. 361,047.

When awning type sash are to be used in the outer set of channels 30, the adapters 37 are put in place, and as will be evident in Fig. 3 of the drawings, such adapters are slotted as at 51 and 52 at their upper and lower ends respectively to receive the projecting ends of transverse upper head member 53 and a transverse lower sill member 54, as described in my aforesaid copending application Serial No. 362,355. The awning type sash 23 may then be put in position by engaging the pivot pins 55 thereof with bearing openings 56, Fig. 3, that are formed in the adapter strips 37 as described in such copending application.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the channels 30 of the present invention may be cut to length at the factory or fabricating shop, and may readily beput in position in either old or new frames to accomplish conversion to different sash for such windows. Such mounting operation is made quite simple, because the, springs 40 and the locating feet 45 may be readily and easily put into the retaining channels 44 and will stay in the location in which they are set while the channels are put in place and secured to the frame structure. The openings 38 for such securing operations may be formed either in the fabricating shop or on the job, and since the-locations of the openings 38 may be determined on the job in accordance with the characteristics of the particular frame in which the channels are to be mounted, theinstallation of the channels on old window frames is materially simplified.

With respect to the installation of the channels 30 in old sash, it is important 'to note that this can be accomplished without the necessity for removing the inner parting stop or the central parting bead, and this is done merely by sawing one of the vertical side members of the old wood sash along a vertical plane adjacent to but spaced from the edge of the glass pane, so as to thereby release the sash from the guideways. This is important, because any removal of the inner stop would necessitate a reassembly and repainting operation with respect to the entire window frame. After the old wood sash have been thus removed, the weights that are housed within the frame may,if desired, be left in place, thus to simplify the problem of conversion of the window structures,

and itshould be observed in this connection that the channels 30, when installed, serve to conceal the openings left in the bottoms of the sash guideways when the old pulley structures are removed.

It will also be evident that the present invention has particular utility in conversion of old window structures in that both of the channels 30 that are used in a particular set of runways may be adjusted to a squared relationship in the event that the frame is out of square. As to the right-hand channel which is normally fixed in position,- such an adjustment may be accomplished by using springs 40, or by bending or cutting the spacing feet 45 to accomplish the desired variable spacing of the channel with respect to the bottom of the sash runway.

In old construction it is, of course, apparent that the use of the present arrangement enables a prime window and storm window structureto be alforded within the same space that is ordinarily occupied by a single set of double-hung windows, and in either old or new construction, it is particularly important to note that the wood parting stop 252 or 26-2 serves as a heat-breaker between the outer channels 30 and the inner channels 30. This prevents direct heat transmission or heat loss through the metallic channels.

It will also be evident that through the use of the present invention, the painting of the frame is materially simplified, not only during the original installation, but at a later time when it is only necessary to remove the channels 39 so as to expose all of the metal parts for a rapidly performed painting operation.

Under the present invention, it will of course be evident that standard window frames may be used to attain removable mounting of the window sash, and since standard window frames are mass-produced in all areas, the cost of affording removable window installations is materially reduced.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A sash guide comprising an elongated member of uniform cross section throughout its length and providing, in cross section, opposite edge walls disposed in parallel relation and having front guide portions defining sash guide faces facing toward each other and having rear leg portions from said guide portions, a bottom guide wall extended from said guide faces and having a rearwardly depressed mounting groove formed therein midway between said edge walls, said groove being defined by spaced side walls and a bottom mounting wall, and said side walls of said groove and said leg portions cooperating with the bottom guide wallto define inwardly opening spring receiving grooves on opposite sides of said mounting groove, means formed on opposite sides of said spring receiving grooves to receive and retain the end coils of coil springs, and said guide faces having undercut grooves formed therein at their junctures with said bottom guide wall for retaining engagement with adapter strip means that are to be held in position over said bottom guide wall.

2. A sash guide comprising an elongated member of uniform cross section throughout its length and provid ing, in cross section, opposite edge walls disposed in parallel relation and having front guide portions defining sash guide faces facing toward each other and having rear leg portions extended from said guide portions, a bottom guide wall extended from said guide faces and having a rearwardly depressed mounting groove. formed therein midway between said edge walls, said groove being defined by spaced side walls and a bottom mounting wall, said side walls of said groove and said leg portions cooperating with the bottom guide wall to define rearwardly opening spring receiving grooves on opposite sides of said mounting groove walls, flanges formed in said spring receiving grooves to cooperate with said bottom guide wall to afford spring retaining grooves to receive the end coils of coil springs, and said guide faces having undercut grooves formed therein at their junctures with said bottom guide wall for retaining engagement with adapter strip means that are to be held in position over said bottom guide wall.

3. A sash guide comprising an elongated member of uniform cross section throughout its length and providing, in cross section, opposite edge walls disposed in parallel relation and having front guide portions defining sash guide faces facing toward each other'and having rear leg portions from said guide portions, a bottom guide wall extended from said guide faces and having a rearwardly depressed mounting groove formed therein midway between said edge walls, said groove being defined by spaced side walls and a bottom mounting wall, and said side walls of said groove and said leg portions cooperating with the bottom guide wall to define inwardly opening spring receiving grooves on opposite sides of said mounting groove, and means formed on opposite sides of said spring receiving grooves to receive and retain the end coils of expansive coil springs.

4. A sash guide comprising an elongated member of uniform cross section throughout its length and providing, in cross section, opposite edge walls disposed in parallel relation and having front guide portions defining sash guide faces facing toward each other and having rear leg portions extended from said guide portions, a bottom guide wall extended from said guide faces and having a rearwardly depressed mounting groove formed therein midway between said edge walls, said groove being defined by spaced side walls and a bottom mounting wall, and said side walls of said groove and said leg portions cooperating with the bottom guide wall to define inwardly opening spring receiving grooves on opposite sides of said mounting groove, and longitudinal flange means in said spring receiving grooves to receive and retain guide-positioning and spacing means.

5. A sash guide comprising an elongated member of uniform cross section throughout its length and providing, in cross section, opposite edge walls disposed in parallel relation and having front guide portions defining sash guide faces facing toward each other and having rear leg portions from said guide portions, a bottom guide wall extended from said guide faces and having a rearwardly depressed mounting groove formed therein midway between said edge walls, said groove being defined by spaced side walls and a bottom mounting wall, and said side walls of said groove and said leg portions cooperating with the bottom guide wall to define inwardly opening spring receiving grooves on opposite sides of said mounting groove, said rear leg portions terminating in substantially the plane of said bottom mounting wall of said groove, means formed on opposite sides of said spring receiving grooves to receive and retain the end coils of expansive coil springs, and said guide faces having undercut grooves formed therein at their junctures with said bottom guide wall for retaining engagement with adapter strip means that are to be held in position over said bottom guide wall.

6. A sash guide comprising an elongated member of uniform cross section throughout its length and providing, in cross section, opposite edge walls disposed in parallel relation and having front guide portions defining sash guide faces facing toward each other and having rear leg portions extended rearwardly from said guide portions, a bottom guide wall extended from said guide faces and having a rearwardly depressed mounting groove formed therein midway between said edge walls, said groove being defined by spaced side walls and a bottom mounting wall, and said side walls of said groove and said leg portions cooperating with the bottom guide wall to define inwardly opening spring receiving grooves on opposite sides of said mounting groove, said rear leg portions tenninating in substantially the plane of said bottom mounting wall of said groove, and means formed in said spring receiving grooves to receive and retain spring means in said spring-receiving grooves.

7. In a window structure, a standard double-hung window frame having inner and outer pairs of opposed runways, rigid channels mounted in a pair of said runways and having rear surfaces disposed substantially midway of the depth of such runways, spacing means interposed between the bottoms of said runways and opposed surfaces of said channels, the spacing means in at least one of said runways being provided by compressive spring means, retaining screws extended through said channels to cooperate with said spacing means in holding said channels in said runways, adapter strips mounted in said channels to provide mountings for a plurality of sash, and a plu- 9 rality of sash operatively engaged with and supported in said mountings.

8. In a window structure, a window frame having a pair of opposed runways, rigid channels mounted in said pair of said runways and having rear surfaces disposed substantially midway of the depth of such runways, spacing means interposed between the bottoms of said runways and opposed surfaces of said channels, the spacing means in at least one of said runways being provided by compressive spring means, retaining screws extended through said channels to cooperate with said spacing means in holding said channels in said runways, adapter strips 10 mounted in said channels to provide mountings for a plurality of sash, and a plurality of sash operatively engaged with and supported in said mountings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,451,654 Beil Oct. 19, 1948 2,541,325 Beil Feb. 13, 1951 2,640,535 Milone June 2, 1953 2,651,083 Nardulli Sept. 8, 1953 2,664,599 Zitomer Jan. 5, 1954 

